So this happened last night.....
Thank you for the EPIC amount of messages/wishes. I can tell you that a
@MetOpera
jump in as Norma is not for the faint hearted!
But, I got to make MUSIC to the highest level with fab colleagues, and that's the part I'm most grateful for.
These knives in the 16th century were engraved with musical scores along the blade and used during banquets& parties.
Each knife had a part of the engraved music corresponding to a specific vocal range, allowing guests to sing together after meals.
Sing for your supper INDEED!
After 6 months of recovery post Covid19 and my killer lung clot, with 2 injections a day amongst other odd side effects,I'm DELIGHTED that my heart and lungs have been evaluated, and much to the surprise of my docs they are clear and healthy!An aria a day keeps the docs away!🥰🥰
Please, stop what you are doing.
Make your way to
@MetOpera
TONIGHT and come see me sing the role of Norma.
It's happening.
Dreams really do come true.
Just got notice that Ms Yoncheva is not well enough to do our final Norma today
@MetOpera
.
I hope she feels better soon. In the meantime, I have 3 hours to summon another Druid Priestess from within.
Norma, here I come.
After 9 days in my isolation hospital room I'M GOING HOME!
The docs were amazed with my progress due to my healthy heart, determination and rather epic lungs.
Recovery is 6-8 weeks.
I'll need to be very careful.
I left this as a small token of my thanks to our brilliant NHS.
When the ambulance came to get me and I couldn't breathe, this little dude was by my side.
Since I've gotten home he's been anxious. He follows me room to room,his head comes up if I cough or breathe strangely.
Nurse Bastien!
What a blessing it has been to have a dog in my life.
I got a text from a girl in her 20's to say her boyfriend booked them tics to see Rheingold at ENO, having never been to an opera.
Why Rheingold, I asked?
He saw an advert on Insta, it said ‘If you enjoy Lord of the rings or Game thrones, you’ll love this’.
Brilliant work
@E_N_O
Well, here I am, 5 weeks into my recovery post Covid19/evil lung clot.
On day 1, I couldn't sing a bar of this without collapsing.
Every day I've been at the piano, hoping to gain strength.Week 5 and I'm starting to see some progress.
Small steps, but she's getting there ❤🙂🙃
Spent 2 hours on the phone to Virgin Atlantic.The lovely rep told me that she was a pro trained classical singer.I told her my flight booking was to sing at The Met.
She replied: "Oh, right. I only work at the top venues, but I wish you all the luck for your little trip."
😂😂😂
To the spineless creep who emailed me via my site with no name to say that they were sure a BRITISH sop could have sung Norma instead of me and that us 'foreigners' should stop taking local jobs away:
1. Singing is an international sport.
2. I dare you to say that to my face.
What a beautiful tweet about my brother
@Arnolddix
,who successfully designed and led an incredible rescue operation. He told me he couldn't have done it without his hardworking local team.
The most humble man I know. So proud, &happy for those rescued.
#UttarakhandTunnelRescue
- Wasnt his country
- Weren't his people
- Wasnt his job
But Australian Arnold Dix, President of the Internation tunneling association rushed to India, worked 24/7 to spearhead the rescue operation in challenging conditions at this age.
He treated those stuck workers like they
And so ends my 7 week Norma contract here in NYC. I do love this city, and feel privileged to have made music and spent time with people that are very dear to my heart. It certainly has been a rollercoaster.
Now, it's time to get back to the UK and snuggle my boys.
H xx
My husband thinks it's a good idea if I don't attend any Carol services that require audience participation since I've been asked to 'keep it down' on numerous occasions including at The Royal Albert hall.
I'm outraged! I should be able to sing every descant with a free spirit!
Rough 24 hours with blood clot causing me some raging pain & muscle spasms through my back.
HOWEVER
Nurse tells me the old man in the isolation room next door said I had a beautiful voice but he doesn't like 'Italian opera' so could I spice it up with Russian rep.
Cheeky......
"Please don't let those bullies stop you. I can't hear you very loudly, but I wanted you to know I suffer from depression, and when I hear your beautiful voice it inspires me to get out of bed and have strength to face the day."
I was so stunned, I gave her my promise and a hug!
I can happily report that after singing both onstage at The Coli
@E_N_O
last night, AND in the car park, that the Coli was a far superior platform for my coloratura!
It was an absolute joy to be back on that stage again. Meanwhile I got asked to leave the car park. Rude.
During my walk I decided to play some opera on my phone.
An elderly couple approached me,I heard the man say:
"Bloody young people and their loud, raucous music."
I couldn't work out what amused me more, that he called me young OR that he referred to L'Elisir as rauccous.
I'm not going to lie,there was something 'cleansing' about seeing my first manager hiding in the audience at Verdi Requiem on Saturday.
The same man who told me 'Nobody liked me' & that I should 'Give up and go back to oz'.
THANK YOU Sir, for not believing in me,so others could.
1/2
Last 24 hours:
Rushed to hospital due to not being able to breathe.
One million tests carried out.
Turns out just as I was getting over Corona I developed huge blood clots in my lungs. Currently on constant air help.
An ex student came to my Met debut. She invited a friend who just started singing & had never been to an opera.After the show she was crying & on the way home she rang her mum & screamed THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO DO WITH MY LIFE.
That stuff right there is worth every note I have.
For those of you that missed it, I've been given permission to show you a short clip of my performance from Maestro Bonynge's 90th birthday gala. Accompanied by
@ChadVindin
,with the magnificent Australia House lobby as our stage.
Nice to know I can still do what I love. Enjoy x
Yesterday, for the first time since my Covid/lung blood clot trauma, I was able to comfortably sing a long, slow, 4 bar phrase with comfort, freedom and without feeling like I'd been run over afterwards.
I'm not going to lie, after a big fist pump in the air I cried happy tears..
You know your April fools day gag has backfired/worked really well, when a journalist sends you some questions and after asking about your Metropolitan Opera jump in, asks how the cameo appearance on Great British Bake off the Musical came about.
Oooooooops.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
One of my students said the most beautiful thing to me:
"My singing lessons with you are the highlight of my week because it's the only time, in the entire week, that's all about and for me."
How gorgeous that I can make her feel that way. Singing is such great therapy.😍😍😍
At the end of 2013 I was diagnosed with a rare ovarian cancer & told my body mass produced oestrogen
(3X a lady😉😉).
Since then I've fought it as best I can, with high notes &smiles.
I'm so excited to continue my opera journey on big stages, it's my life.
2019...bring it on! X
Six years ago today, I married my best mate.
Today, I think back to our vows 'In sickness and in health'...and it brings forth a whirlwind of emotions.During my time in hospital I would often close my eyes and think of this day, with loved ones, and then I didn't feel so alone.🥰
At yesterday's awards ceremony I got to have a lovely chat with
@Lin_Manuel
who received his honorary doctorate from
@RoyalAcadMusic
.
So what happens when an operatic soprano meets an icon?
HIGH NOTES of course!
He passed with flying colours.
Bravo Sir!
Hamilton the opera?
If Boris told restaurants they could re-open, but not serve food, pubs they could re-open, but not serve drinks, Or hotels they could open but not have any overnight guests. There'd be an uproar.
Telling theatres they can re-open, but not stage live performances is INSULTING.
You have to love that moment when you make your Norma stage debut and none other than Maestro Bonynge comes to support you.
#nopressure
Thank you for you extraordinary words this evening Maestro, it was an honour to have you in the audience.
Not only were a village of talented, hard-working individuals made redundant last night, but they were sent the news during the INTERVAL.
That is absolutely horrific.
Have some bloody tact and decency. Haven't they been through enough?
No class.
Thinking of my colleagues
@E_N_O
x
I'd like to dedicate my performance of Verdi’s Requiem tomorrow with
@WimbledonChoral
to the memory of my colleague Keel Watson.
Keel and I were looking forward to finally working together on this after all these years.
R.I.P-This one is for you, dear man.
Heathrow at 6am looks a little bit different these days.
I can't believe that after everything I've been through in the past 12 months that I'm back on board, bound for Australia.
Feeling a huge multitude of emotions, but incredibly grateful to be sharing my high notes again x
I've had the immense pleasure of singing Norma all week in rehearsals here at
@MetOpera
.
But the HIGHLIGHT was singing the opening scene and 'Casta Diva' with my extraordinary colleagues of the
@MetOperaChorus
, to a rousing reception of support at the end.
I love my job!
Here's a shout out to all the curvy ladies who have been told they won't have a career in opera because they 'Don't look good enough'.
Absolutely proud of my sexy, smoking hot, Lucrezia Borgia outfit. It makes me feel fantastic and gives me extra confidence to rock that stage!
Today I taught my 14 year old singing student her first ever recitative. To enhance her enjoyment I got her to rap it, whilst her brother (who usually accompanies her lessons on the piano) provided beatboxing assistance. They both ADORED it & wanted more!
You're welcome Mozart...
Quite a few of you have reached out to me as I've been unusually quiet.I've been wiped out the last 10 days with what appeared to be Covid19 symptoms. With a cough,soaring temp and a scary inability to breathe well it's been horrendous. I'm making a slow but steady recovery now x
2/2Being taken care of by brilliant NHS. I've sung some arias in my isolation room for the staff outside my door (all for medical growth)and a poor young man may need therapy after helping me wash my cleavage this morning.....
Director: I think you're opening line should be slower, with more edge.
Conductor: Can you make your opening line faster? A little more casual.
Me: So slower, with a faster feel?
Yeeeeeah.
It's a tough life singing all the subtle operatic roles. My dresses are so understated. Here is Vitellia from Clemenza di Tito in all her costume fitting glory at Met opera.
Now, the question is, who or what can I fit under there ?😂😂😂
NO MORE SLEEPS.
3 months of contracts in NYC are calling me. Mixed emotions as always. I hate departure day!
BUT
@MetOpera
debut as Alice in Falstaff followed directly by covering my first Vitellia in Tito? Don't mind if I do!
Laaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Months of preparation.
One night only concert.
And Finally, 7 weeks later, I get paid.
Let's get BETTER at these things companies.
I miss the old days of being handed a cheque on the night!
Today,for the first time since Dec 19,I start a new contract.
After the most horrendous year for us globally, and for me personally,I can guarantee you that I won't take one minute of it for granted.
Off I go with butterflies in my tummy,a happy heart & a plethora of high notes!
9 years ago this handsome fella &I got married in a fancy 'cave' overlooking the ocean at Devon.
Thanks Mark:For being my constant source of laughter, for supporting me with this crazy life I lead, & for refusing to see me in any opera that contains copious amounts of recit.
😄😄
One of our Opera Queens gives her last staged performance today.
Edita Gruberová, thank you for everything you have given our craft. It takes such discipline and patience to create a technique that can withstand the repertoire you excelled at. 72 years old- BRAVA!
I've received 100's of lovely messages over the past few weeks, but this one made me feel all the feels.
I messaged Rob, and learnt that he has reconnected with his mum via opera. I sent a little video for her with a few high notes, it made them both cry.
It wasn't that bad! 🤣🤣
A local dog walker asked where I have been.I told him, singing in NYC. He asked what it was like to sing on cruise ships.I told him I was singing at the theatre.Apparently that was a shame as I will only really make it as a classical singer once I get to sing on a cruise.
#told
I loved her more than words can say. My first singing teacher, my 2nd mum. She was the keeper of high notes, and such a fountain of knowledge. She guided me from a 15 Yr old pop singer into a disciplined opera singer.
R.I.P Margaret Nisbett, I carry you with me on every stage.
One of the things I'm not allowed to currently do is climb the stairs at home. So I've been sleeping on the sofa bed.
My boys decided they should keep me company, so this is my adorable morning view!
🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Many thanks to these Aussie Army lads for escorting my bags and I to my quarantine hotel room last night.
I gave them a high note in exchange! Last humans I'll see for 2 weeks, it was only fair!
About last night.....
I'm overwhelmed with all the love and support from around the world for my
@MetOpera
debut last night in Falstaff.
This hilarious moment was when my gorgeous colleagues
@JJCMezzo
& Marie Nicole Lemieux added some glorious rose petals to my curtain call!
So,a country who has had 30,000 deaths, eases lockdown and it results in THIS on a really warm day.
Meanwhile, I'm recovering from it all, injecting myself daily and sitting on my own by the piano every day to stay safe AND my colleagues have no work.
It's safe to say I'm angry.
I thought 41 was going to be a rather anti-climactic birthday but I never could have predicted my recent tribulations. I'm grateful to still be here, to celebrate and to immerse myself in life.
My brother recorded the sunrise in Australia today. A special day of new hope x
1/2 If you missed Norma from
@MetOpera
you can still listen:
"Ms. Dix sang Casta Diva as a spellbound invocation. As her soft tones flowed through the vocal line, a hush fell over the house; in the 2nd verse, a tiny embellishment sent a frisson through me.